Racer X Double IPA | Bear Republic Brewing Co.

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Notes / Commercial Description:
Racer X is an uncommon Double India Pale Ale which puts a California twist on English brewing traditions by adding an assertive hop aroma and bitterness that compliments the firm malt backbone. Like its little brother Racer 5, Racer X is balance in a bottle.

Bottle from Safeway. Dark, hazy golden pour, with soft, foamy head.Looks great, a perfect pour. Aroma features deep caramel malts with a little pine, a little citrus. Taste is more of the rich caramel malts, mellowed out by some lingering piney hops, a little earthy, with a hint of dank character. Mouthfeel is also superb, thick and chewy. One of the best DIPAs I've had.

I love the copper color of this double IPA. The high alcohol percentage (8.3) is masked by a malty backbone. Not overly hoppy in flavor despite 100 IBU rating, it's a smooth drinker that packs a punch. Note: I love Bear Republic's Racer 5 and this beer is one that balances bitterness and malt while raising the hop bar and alcohol.

22oz bottle. Beer is mid amber in color and supports a very large white head atop loads of soda bubbles. Aroma is floral hops mixed with, oddly for this style, banana. The first tiny sip immediately tells me that this beast is loaded with old fashioned West coast IPA IBUs. No, I wouldn't say "balance" comes to mind immediately. But the more I drink it the more I'm enjoying the weight this leaves on my tongue. Even though it does lean towards the bitter side and the hop flavors are quite muddled by modern standards, this is still a good brew. Oldschool goodness.